Parent Movie Reviewby Melanie Law

In the continuing saga of Littlefoot and pals, the young dinos have finally set aside frolicking in the Great Valley and are attending school! Their teacher, Mr. Thicknose, the oldest and most knowledgeable dinosaur, finds their classroom antics to be disrespectful and especially resents Littlefoot’s unintentional challenge to his authority.

At home, Ducky is dealing with some sibling rivalry because she finds Spike’s loud sleep rumbles and huge appetite annoying. Not knowing how to deal with these emotions, she listens to the advice of her quick-tempered friend Cera, and learns to vent these frustrations. Feeling his sister’s icy rejection, and noticing the differences between himself and his adoptive family, Spike eagerly visits some of his own kind, a company of a traveling spiketails.

But all are distracted and amazed when white sparkles from the sky blanket the valley—and the inevitable snowball fights begin. However, as temperatures continue to fall, the now chilly dinosaurs discover that their source of green food is diminishing. The animals hastily blame Mr. Thicknose (who is supposed to know everything) for not having warned them to store food.

The spiketails depart in search of greener pastures, and invite Spike to go with them. Ducky is crushed that her brother has chosen to leave and regrets having given him the cold shoulder. So, in true Land Before Time style, the plucky dino sets out alone into the frozen landscape to bring him back. It’s not long before Littlefoot and the rest of the gang perceive the danger of the situation.

Having learned some lessons from previous episodes about wandering into the Mysterious Beyond on their own, the self-appointed search party is accompanied by Mr. Thicknose. Trying to redeem himself in the eyes of the community, the teacher agrees to provide his guidance and protection. Yet his failure to alert the children’s parents of their intentions may prove older is not necessarily wiser.

Packed with a little more plot than past series installments, The Big Freeze still manages to squeeze in lessons of tolerance, forgiveness, families, love, and honesty. Although parents may easily forecast the sunny outcomes, youngsters are bound to enjoy this frosty caper.

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Land Before Time VIII: The Big FreezeRating & Content Info

Why is Land Before Time VIII: The Big Freeze rated G?Land Before Time VIII: The Big Freeze is rated G by the MPAA

Making The Grades…

The MPAA rated Land Before Time: The Big Freeze (2001) G.

Overall: B Littlefoot and friends are delighted with their first snowfall as well as a visit by a wandering herd of spiketails. When their food supply begins to dwindle and Spike (the orphan spiketail) is torn between two families, the stage is set for dino-mite adventure for the youngest members of your herd.

Violence: B+ Character falls into water. Character squished by sleeping sibling. Characters chased by T-Rex several times. Fruit falls on character’s head. Character crashes head-on into tree. Character trips, falls, and a large fruit lands on him. Character stubs toe. Snowball fights include characters being struck in face. Characters slide down slopes, crash into one another. Overhang of snow falls and buries character. Characters flee oncoming avalanche. Giant snowball rolls into character, knocking him down a hill where his head strikes a rock. Characters slide out of control on ice. Character struck with log, falls off cliff (only the thud is heard). Characters plunge through thin ice.

Sexual Content: A None.

Language: A Mild name calling.

Alcohol / Drug Use: A None.

Miscellaneous: Some rude behavior: Two burps and one raspberry. Some violent/scary scenes contained within video previews (click here to see letter from a concerned site visitor).

For a detailed explanation of how content determines grades, click here

More parents' guide for Land Before Time VIII: The Big Freeze after the break...

Land Before Time VIII: The Big Freeze Parents' Guide

Talk about the movie with your family…

The Land Before Time series often portrays the perky young dinosaurs as knowing best and discredits the adults with childish attitudes or behavior. How do you feel about this portrayal? What impact did you feel Mr. Thicknose’s startling confession had on that message? How can children in today’s society learn respect and gain appreciation for their elders?